Your Pre-trip Guide was very helpful. I researched the lonely planet guides and alike as well and found these to be an invaluable resource.

The local Project Coordinator Elvis was very helpful. I couldn’t fault him in any way, he was always there for me if I had any questions or needed explanations of local situations.

My host family treated me with so much warmth and friendliness. I found the host family aspect of the experience to be fantastic particularly because I got to sample the local foods which I helped cook.

One weekend I travelled with a fellow volunteer to Akosombo and the Lake Volta region. Another weekend I went to two local Castles where the slave trade had once taken place, they were both very interesting.

Kylie Annett (Australia)
Orphanage volunteer in Cape Coast, Ghana

A must-see on any volunteering trip to Ghana is its beautiful coastline. One of the more interesting sights are the colorful traditional fishing boats known as “pirogues” (not to be confused with our favorite Polish food pierogis!)

Many visitors go to the touristy town of Elmina to see the boats and the fishing industry scene. But don’t forget about the capitol city Accra.

Below are some photos we took on the beaches of Accra, not too far from the city of Tema. One of our volunteer program coordinators in Ghana regularly takes our participants to see the boats and even talk to local fisherman.

You will notice that the boats usually have some words and phrases with some sort of Christian reference. Ghana, as you will quickly learn on a visit there, wears its Christianity on its sleeve – and its fishing boats. On this day, the boats had phrases like “God’s Time Is The Best”, “The Bible”, and “Everything By God”.

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I can think of 50 reasons why you will love Ghana. But here are just five to get you started.

5 Reasons You Will Love Ghana

1. Experience African culture minus any political strife or street hassles

As World Nomads wrote recently, “Ghana is one of the gems of West Africa. It’s a relatively stable country in a region not known for peace and stability.”

2. English is an official language

Quora user Sedem Garr writes that:

“If you plan on coming to Ghana and you’re worried about language barrier issues, you won’t have any problems at all as long as you are in the cities and towns. I have lived in Ghana all my life and can only speak English. It has never been a problem for me.”

3. There are direct flights to Ghana

The website tripsavvy has the details:

Delta Airlines has direct flights from Atlanta (ATL) and New York (JFK) to Accra (ACC), the capital of Ghana. The flights from Atlanta leave several times per week in the late evening, arriving in Accra mid-afternoon the next day.

Delta’s direct flight from New York (JFK) to Accra (ACC) leaves late afternoon, arriving in Accra early the next morning. The flight operates several times per week and takes around 11 hours. 

United Airlines has daily direct flights from Washington DC (IAD) to Accra (ACC). The flight leaves Washington DC in the late evening and arrives in Accra around midday the following day. It takes about 10.5 hours. 

4. The weather is tropical (but not oppressively hot)

From Trip Advisor:

Ghana enjoys a year round tropical climate, but it does have rainy seasons.  The coastal region (including Accra) has two rainy seasons, one beginning in March, and peaking in May or June, the other in September/October.  Even during the rainy season, Accra can still enjoy an average of 5 hours a day of sunshine.  During this period, the rain tends to be…thunderstorms.  Average temperatures along the coast are usually in the 75-90 F range.  In the north part of the country, there is a single rainy season starting in May or June and it tends to be significantly hotter as you go further north.

5. Ghana has natural beauty 

Kakum National Park is on coast of southern Ghana. It’s famous Canopy Walkway, suspended 30 meters above the ground, provides treetop views of the forest. Kakum protects an area of rainforest, home to endangered mammals such as forest elephants, bongo antelopes and primates like the Diana monkey. 

Lake Volta, encompassing 3,275 square miles, is the largest artificial lake in the world:

Mount Afadjato rises just over 2,900 feet above sea level. Located near the Togo border, Afadjato attracts tourists because of its waterfalls and the community-operated nature reserve on its slopes.

The majestic Akwapim mountain range begins about forty-fives minutes outside of Accra, in Ghana’s Eastern Region. Aburi has breathtaking views of the lush, green mountains, which are often shrouded by fog in the early morning. 

Writer Dan Wilcox wrote an article the West Australian on Ghana.

The article is a couple of years old but the information is still relevant.

I first visited the country in 2003 to establish our volunteering programs in Ghana, West Africa. Our volunteers always love learning about the culture and serving Ghanaians through volunteer work.

Dan writes:

Ghana is generally regarded as an excellent introduction to West Africa and I can only agree. Yes, you will receive the odd plea for money but begging is frowned on in this devoutly Christian society…

Accra, the capital, will be a first port of call for any traveller and is worth exploring before venturing beyond. Settled initially by the Dutch and later the British, Jamestown, with its two forts and lighthouse, is Accra’s historical heart and is recommended for a walking tour.

While there, I attend the annual Chale Wote street art festival, which is as good as any I have visited. Throngs of local graffiti artists creating live art, street performers, rap battles, food and drink stalls and fashion parades add to the eclectic mix…

The main tourist destination in Ghana is Cape Coast. Some 200km west of Accra, it is where the Dutch and British first established their big forts. Accra transport consists of standard taxis and tro tros as a cheap alternative. These are minibuses, filled to bursting and with no timetable. Once the bus is full, it leaves…

The forts built in Cape Coast and further along the coast in Elmina were used to house slaves. The slave trade soon eclipsed the gold trade as a source of wealth for the British and it is these forts and their history that draw most tourists…

Ghana has some innovative education initiatives going on. Not the least of which is Ashesi University and its founder Patrick Awuah.

Patrick Awuah, who walked away from a career at Microsoft to start a university in his home country of Ghana, last week was one of the 24 recipients of this year’s “genius grants,” $625,000 awards paid out over five years by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Ashesi University is a private, non-profit liberal arts college located in Ghana, West Africa. The university’s mission is to educate a new generation of ethical and entrepreneurial leaders in Africa; to cultivate within students the critical thinking skills, the concern for others and the courage it will take to transform their continent.